Run an application via shortcut using Process.Start()

Question

Is there a way to run an application via shortcut from a C# application?

I am attempting to run a .lnk from my C# application. The shortcut contains a significant number of arguments that I would prefer the application not have to remember.

Attempting to run a shortcut via Process.Start() causes an exception.

Win32Exception: The specified executable is not a valid Win32 application

This is the code I am using.

ProcessStartInfo info = new ProcessStartInfo ( "example.lnk" );
info.CreateNoWindow = true;
info.UseShellExecute = false;
info.RedirectStandardError = true;
info.RedirectStandardOutput = true;
info.RedirectStandardInput = true;
Process whatever = Process.Start( info );

Belton

The shortcut requires arguments or is it the target of the shortcut that requires arguments? – Giralda

@Giralda updated with requested info. The target of the shortcut requires arguments. – Belton

Make sure the shortcut actually works - it could be broken. – Magenta

@Charles the shortcut does work. It points to a bat file - I can run the bat file and the shortcut via point-and-click. – Belton

Answer 1

Setting UseShellExecute = false was the problem. Once I removed that, it stopped crashing.

Belton

This is even more important now because .NET core has changed the default of this property to false. I was running into this when I wasn't setting this property at all. – Ingate

Answer 2

Could you post some code. Something like this should work:

Process proc = new Process();
proc.StartInfo.FileName = @"c:\myShortcut.lnk";
proc.Start();

Oliguria

Answer 3

if your file is EXE or another file type like ".exe" or ".mkv" or ".pdf" and you want run that with shortcut link your code must like this.

i want run "Translator.exe" program.

Process.Start(@"C:\Users\alireza\Desktop\Translator.exe.lnk");

Louanneloucks

Answer 4

If you're using UseShellExecute = false and trying to launch a batch file make sure to add .bat to the end of the filename. You don't need .bat if UseShellExecute = true though. This made me just waste an hour of work... hoping to save someone else.

Smitt

Welcome to StackOverflow and thanks for helping. Taking the tour will get you your first badge. Have fun. – Boylan

I don't understand. Why would you leave off the file extension? – Reconciliatory

Answer 5

In my case, the problem was that if the application is designed for 32-bit processors, it cannot run the link file that refers to the application for 64-bit processors.

Reeve